At the time, speculation about the move, which Filner wouldn't comment on, centered on a possible recall attack on the mayor by the trio of well-heeled hotel moguls then seeking to force Filner to sign a lucrative city contract they thought they'd obtained from GOP ex-mayor Jerry Sanders, a major beneficiary of hotel owner cash.

With Filner in even hotter water today, the fund could prove a crucial source of money as he clings to his seat in the face of a barrage of media fire from the likes of New York liberal talk show host Rachael Maddow and Koch-brothers connected conservative U-T San Diego publisher Douglas Manchester.

Another big donor, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, which owns an East County casino, along with the Grant Hotel downtown and other real estate interests, is listed as having given $10,000 on April 18. But on April 25, according to the filing, the money was refunded.

Grocery workers union UFCW Local 135 gave $9900 on May 13.

Expenses included $4110 paid to political consultant KM Strategies, along with $1500 paid to Tom Shepard, Filner's now-departed political consultant whose earlier experience with political scandal has included copping a plea in the Roger Hedgecock J. David Dominelli campaign finance case.

Sutton Law Firm of San Francisco, whose specialty is political law, got $3375.

The fund ended the period with $32,531 in the bank and outstanding debts of $6713.